How do you picture
identity? What happens when you ask individuals to make visual representations
of their own identities, influences, and relationships?

Drawing upon an
array of disciplines from neuroscience to philosophy, and art to social theory,
David Gauntlett explores the ways in which researchers can embrace people's everyday
creativity in order to understand social experience.

Seeking an alternative to
traditional interviews and focus groups, he outlines studies
in which people have been asked to make visual things -
such as video, collage, and drawing - and then interpret
them. This leads to an innovative project in which Gauntlett
asked people to build metaphorical models of their identities
in Lego. This creative reflective method provides insights
into how individuals present themselves, understand their
own life story, and connect with the social world.

Creative
Explorations is a lively, readable and original discussion
of identities, media influences, and creativity, which will
be of interest to both students and academics.